Chiliotrichum diffusum is a species of small shrub, a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as fachine, fascine or mata verde in Spanish.[1] It is native to the southern tip of South America and the Falkland Islands.
| Chiliotrichum diffusum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Chiliotrichum |
| Species: | C. diffusum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chiliotrichum diffusum (G.Forst.) Kuntze
| |
Description
editChiliotrichum diffusum is a small, much-branched shrub growing to a height of about 1.5 m (5 ft). It resembles a rosemary bush with aromatic greyish-green foliage. The leaves are elliptical or lanceolate, dark green above and hairy beneath. The white, daisy-like flowers are about 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter.[2][3]
Distribution and habitat
editIts range extends from Valdivia to the Magallanes Province in Chile and it is found in the southern part of Argentina, from sea level to about 400 m (1,312 ft).[3]
In the Falklands Islands, at one time it was common but since the arrival of livestock on the islands, it now mainly occurs in valley bottoms, ravines and other inaccessible places.[2] In southern Chile and Argentina it is the dominant plant on the fringes of the Nothofagus forest.[3]
Ecology
editChiliotrichum diffusum is native to steppe grassland in Chile, Argentina and the Falkland Islands, where it is one of the dominant shrubby plants in a community that includes Trevoa, Schinus polygama, Paleaepappus patagonicus, Berberis microphylla, various grasses and sedges.[4]
References
edit- ^ Abraham, Rudolf (2011). Torres del Paine: Trekking in Chile's Premier National Park. Cicerone Press Limited. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-84965-356-5.
- ^ a b Hince, Bernadette (2000). The Antarctic Dictionary: A Complete Guide to Antarctic English. Csiro Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-643-10232-3.
- ^ a b c Chester, Sharon (2010). A Wildlife Guide to Chile: Continental Chile, Chilean Antarctica, Easter Island, Juan Fernandez Archipelago. Princeton University Press. p. 88. ISBN 1-4008-3150-4.
- ^ Frame, John (2005). Grasslands: Developments, Opportunities, Perspectives. Science Publishers. p. 467. ISBN 978-1-57808-359-6.